We found her on Instagram. And then we gasped, sent her name to all of our friends and basked in the (totally unjustifable) triumph of having recommended a really truly brilliant Instagram find. Brisbane-based artist, 26-year-old CJ Hendry produces enormous, 3D drawings of things like a Chanel perfume bottle and a pair of Saint Laurent brogues (amongst other things) in pen and ink – certainly a refreshing antidote to all the girls posting pictures of their own shoes on Instagram. (No judgement, we all do it).
And we’re not the only ones who are transfixed. CJ was recently signed up by Sydney native Bill Tikos, aka The Cool Hunter – the hugely influential trendspotter who seeds out pretty much everything new and cool regarding art, architecture and style and presents it on a plate for people like you and me. And last month, CJ’s work was shown to the public for the very first time, in Sydney. With four exhibitions of her work lined up for the next year – featuring 15 drawings of bags from all the major design houses – CJ’s quickly becoming the NBT in the art world. Oh, and her work all sold out. Before her first ever exhibition.
So we caught up with CJ to find out how she conquered the art world. Via instagram.
**The Debrief: Hi, CJ! We are obsessed with your Instagram. Have you always loved drawing pieces of luxury fashion? **
CJ Hendry: Luxury has always been a part of my identity. It started at the age of 16 when I started to buy products I could not afford and over 10 years things haven’t changed! It is more than an obsession, I love the captivating allure of a single piece for the viewers to focus their attention on, whether that be shoes or a perfume bottle.
**DB: You’ve obviously become super famous through your Instagram following. What have been the best things that have happened through Instagram? **
CJH: There is a very large arts community on Instagram. It’s brilliant for artists and I have been very fortunate to gain a small following. It is so nice to scroll through and be inspired by peoples’ galleries. By far the most exciting opportunity I have had was the Art Hunter exhibition. This was my first showing and it allowed me to get my name on the map slightly. There are many exciting ideas currently in the works, too!
**DB: ** **On average, your pieces measure a massive 1.5 x 2.4 metres.What made you decide to make your drawings so large? **
**CJH: **Over the years I’ve always drawn quite small sketches and they looked more like fashion illustrations rather than inspiring pieces of art. I kept on seeing stunning oversize paintings by famous artists and I really wanted the viewer to see my work and be blown away by the sheer size of each piece. I want it to transport a room into a captivating space.
DB: You've clearly got great taste: Ferragamo pumps and Hermes bags! How do you pick your brands?
CJH: [Laughs.] Thank you. It doesn’t actually come down to the brand, per say, when In draw. For me it’s about choosing a piece that is in alignment with my aesthetic. It doesn’t even have to be a brand name – sometimes it may be a stunning antique piece which has a rich character.
DB: Have any of the designers whose pieces you’ve drawn ever got in contact – or has anyone approached you imploring you to draw pieces from their collections or archives?
CJH: Gosh, wouldn’t that be nice? No designers or curators have approached me to do this, and to be honest that has never been the overall plan. It’s just been about producing very clean works of art which make sense to me. If these opportunities did arise it would be really fun to collaborate, but I am not too fussed either way.
DB: How long does each drawing take you?
CJH: I depends on the size of each piece, but they can vary from 100 to 200 hours each.
**DB: 200 hours! The Debrief can only wish it had your patience. Er, and talent. Which drawings are you most proud of? **
CJH: Each and every one of my pieces holds a special place in my heart – however my favourite is the Gucci twisted scarf. I cannot explain how, or why, but it resonates with me in so many wonderful ways.
**DB: And what inspires you? **
CJH: I am mainly inspired by architecture and advertising. After leaving school I studied Architecture and immersed myself, drawing all my assignments by hand with a pen and ruler. I couldn't figure out how to navigate CAD and Revit, and I soon got left behind. For a brief moment I made myself believe that an architect could be successful by rendering everything by hand, however that idea was quashed pretty quickly after a chat to some of the lecturers... Devastated! So, I dropped out.
DB: Thank goodness, or these talents may have never been showcased in their current form. And how are you inspired by advertising? Is that the aspect of consumerism that comes across in your drawings?
CJH: The world of advertising has always fascinated me. Why are products marketed in a certain way? Why do a specific group of people consume them? Why are some companies more successful than others? In my naive opinion it all comes down to marketing and brand perception. The art world is no different.
DB: Speaking of perception, we love all the jokes you make about taking selfies on your tripod. Where do you stand on the crazy selflie movement?
CJH: I look at selfies like a big joke. I cringe when I see guys/girls trying really hard to pout and position themselves in the most flattering way. Obviously I don’t take it seriously, or else I would be looking a hell of a lot better in the photos. Lets be real: I think its fun to dress up and put on make-up now and then, but you can't try too hard...WHO CARES!!!
DB: Atta girl! So, CJ, what would be your dream for 10 years time?
CJ: I can’t envision 10 years from now. I have personal goals that I wish to achieve, but good old hard work never goes astray. I am keen to grab each opportunity with both hands.
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.